Suspected Drunk Driver Plows Into Another Vehicle in Houston
A suspected drunk driver crashed into another vehicle while driving down Houston’s Southwest Freeway at Hillcroft, causing the secondary vehicle to crash into a fire truck.
Details About the Accident
Monday, May 21, saw an unfortunate accident when a suspected drunk driver crashed into a vehicle on the freeway. The impact of the crash, in turn, caused the secondary vehicle to crash into a fire truck. This trapped the secondary driver underneath the fire truck.
Fortunately, the secondary driver was taken to Ben Haub hospital and is expected to survive the ordeal. Firefighters aboard the fire truck were not injured from the crash.
Northbound lanes from Fondren to Chimney Rock were closed off while authorities investigated the scene. According to abc13.com, authorities said that the suspect had an odor of alcohol and was processed on suspicion of DWI.
It’s a Growing Problem
Over the past few decades, accidents caused by motorists driving under the influence have increased.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , drunk driving accidents are still increasing with 2016 being a prime example of that:
- From 2015 to 2016, the fatality rate increased by 1.7 percent, with 10,497 lives lost in 2016. This accounted for 28 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S.
- More than 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics that same year.
- It is estimated that everyday 29 people in the United States perish in an alcohol-impaired vehicle crash. That equals one person every 50 minutes.
- Annual costs for of these type of crashes run up to more than $44 billion.
- Of the 1,233 deaths of young children ages 0-14 years, 17 percent—or 214—were due to an alcohol-impaired driver.
- Drugs other than alcohol attribute to 16 percent of motor vehicle crashes.
These stats are a staggering reminder of how fragile life can be when someone makes the decision to drink and drive. Because of this, our car accident attorneys here at Lapeze & Johns want you to know there is still much you can do to keep you or your friends safe.
If you’ve had or are planning to have a few drinks:
- Use public transportation
- Use Lyft or Uber
- Assign a trustworthy friend as a designated driver
- Make sure your designated driver doesn’t drink alcohol or use any narcotics
- If you are having a get-together at home, take your friends’ keys so that they cannot drive under the influence
- Stay where you are, sleep on your friend’s couch
- Buy your alcohol when you are sober and don’t leave to buy more when you are intoxicated
Even if you haven’t had a drink, you too must also be safe on the roads. If you suspect someone is drunk driving, look out for:
- Swerving
- Wide turns
- Driving in the center of the road
- Near misses with an object or another vehicle
- Zigzagging within the lane
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Illegal turns
- Driving too slow or too fast
- Erratic braking
- Inconsistent signaling
- Slow reaction to traffic signals
If you witness any truly erratic driving behavior, quickly call 911 to report the incident. Provide details about the location as well as the make, model, and color of the car. Include the license plate number if you are able to.
Above all else, do not try to stop or follow the vehicle. Do not try to detain a suspected drunk driver if they stop. Keep yourself safe and leave it to law enforcement.
If you have been the victim of a drunk driver, reach out to the Houston car accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns today.
With over 35 years of experience fighting for clients’ rights, trust that we can help you in your particular case. Contact us at (739) 719-1010 for your free legal consultation today.
Story and Image can be attributed to abc13.com.
